Southeastern University

Lakeland, Florida, United States · Est. 1935 · Private University

Private Christian university in Florida affiliated with the Assemblies of God, offering 80+ majors and growing rapidly.

  • Founded 1935 in Alabama as Southeastern Bible Institute; relocated to Lakeland, Florida in 1946
  • Private nonprofit Christian university affiliated with Assemblies of God
  • Approximately 10,000 students across main campus and 80+ extension sites in 29 states
  • Offers 80 bachelor's degrees, 16 master's degrees, and 2 doctoral degrees
  • NAIA member competing in Sun Conference; baseball team won NAIA national championship in 2018
  • 88-acre main campus in Lakeland with recent $25–50 million expansion program

Academics

Southeastern University is organized into six colleges: Arts & Media, Jannetides College of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership, Education, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Christian Ministries and Religion, and Natural and Health Sciences. The university offers 80 majors leading to Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees, along with 16 master's degrees and 2 doctoral degrees (including an EdD launched in 2014). A comprehensive online program delivers 23 campus degrees, including nine undergraduate and thirteen master's degrees. The university has expanded significantly since 2011, growing from 2,500 to over 10,000 students and launching 80 extension sites across 29 states.

Campus & Student Life

The main campus spans 88 acres in Lakeland and has undergone substantial development, including a 27,000-square-foot Natural and Health Sciences building (2015), a 125,000-square-foot Live/Learn Facility called Buena Vida (2016), and athletic facilities including a 3,500-seat football stadium. The Steelman Library houses over 100,000 books, 800 periodical titles, and 2,500 videos. Student life includes the SEU Chapel (Christian services), the annual Forum at SEU (leadership training), a debate team competing in the Florida Intercollegiate Forensics Association, and 19 intercollegiate varsity sports through NAIA membership.

Athletics

Southeastern competes as the Fire in NAIA's Sun Conference, with a mascot named Scorch. The university fields 19 varsity sports: nine men's sports (baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track & field, wrestling) and nine women's sports (basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, volleyball), plus co-ed cheerleading. Notable achievements include the men's golf team's 2007 NCCAA National Championship and the baseball team's 2018 NAIA national championship with a 59–7 record.

Admissions & Outcomes

The university ranked #331–440 in U.S. News & World Report's National Universities category for 2022–23. Notable alumni include MLB All-Star Dee Gordon, sports broadcaster Kristen Ledlow, and professional athletes in soccer and basketball. The university has obtained a Title IX exemption regarding gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination for religious reasons.

Founded
1935
Type
Private University
Courses
10
Total intake
Not yet verified
AffiliationAssemblies of God
Websitehttps://seu.edu/
HousingAvailable
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
10
Avg career outcomes
$46.7K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
Yes
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources